Brunhilde sprang to her feet with the answer:--

"Heiho! hoyotoho! heiho!"

Could it be that one of her sisters was coming to see her?

Was it possible that one of the Walkuere would so far dare Wotan's wrath
as to venture to the mountain's crest?

Nearer came the call:--

"Heiho! hoyotoho! heiho!"

And a battle-maiden came in sight.

Brunhilde was very happy to see her sister again, but the battle-maiden
looked sad.

She brought bad news from Valhalla.

She and Brunhilde sat down upon the rock, and the battle-maiden told the
sad story of the last days of the giants.

"Brunhilde," she said, "Wotan does not know that I have come. Valhalla
is in deepest gloom.

"Wotan has never sent us to a battlefield since that day when we last
saw you.

"Not long ago he came home with his magic spear broken into splinters.